Avishkar Ananilal (25), Lucky Dlamini (36), and Sintayi Belachev (28), appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday.

They are accused of stealing wallets, bags and nappies from a shipping container, Captain Leonard Hlathi said in a statement.

Ananilal and Belachev are said to have paid Dlamini, a security guard at the South African Container Depot, R20 000 to allow them to steal from the container.

The stolen items imported from China were destined for Edgars and Truworth's shops.

"The suspects smuggled the container out of its original place, emptied it, and they abandoned it at Edwin Swales in Durban," said Hlathi.

"The police then followed information that led them to a farm in Lydenburg where they recovered half of the loot."

It was believed the men were part of a crime syndicate and that their interrogations would lead to more arrests.

The men will appear again on 6 July. Ananilal was granted bail of R5000 while the other two, who were found with the stolen goods, were remanded in custody.

Sapa

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